Safeguards on ethical standards

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1674
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 7 FEBRUARY 2023 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye
MP for Radin Mas

Question No. 2665

To ask the Minister for Health what are the safeguards in place to ensure that ethical standards are being met by those working in the mental healthcare sector.

Answer
 
There is a range of safeguards in place to ensure mental health services funded by the Ministry of Health (MOH) are safe, ethical and effective. For example, providers have to put in place care processes, clinical governance frameworks and regular audits. Professional standards are also regulated by the relevant professional boards and councils, such as the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and the Singapore Nursing Board. The public may also provide feedback or lodge a complaint with MOH, the SMC or the relevant professional associations, if they have concerns over the clinical services provided by mental health professionals.

In addition, professional associations such as the Singapore Psychological Society and Singapore Association for Counselling have published guidelines on professional and ethical conduct for its members. The National Mental Health Competency Training Framework Workgroup, set up by MOH and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, is also developing a common set of training standards and competencies for mental health professionals and para-professionals.